Portable collapsible tank



Dec. 1, 1959 c. T. LEWIS 2,915,097

PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Filed July 23, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7INVENTOR. Char/es 7." Lewis.

Dec. 1, 1959 c. T. LEWIS 2,915,097

PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Filed July 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.Char/es 7I'L.ewz'e.

United States PatentO PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE TANK Charles T. Lewis,Oklah'oma City, Okla. Application July 23, 1958, Serial No. 750,324

8 Claims. (Cl. 150-.5)

This invention relates to portable collapsible tanks, and moreparticularly to a novel, portable collapsible containing structure thatis quickly erected for temporary storage of large volumes of flowablematerials such as liquids, grain and the like.

Large volumes of storage capacity for temporary storage of flowablematerial, such as liquids, grain and the like, are frequently requiredwherein the volume to be stored may vary from a few thousand gallons towell over one hundred thousand gallons. The transportation of roundsteel storage tanks and the expense of erection thereof has presented avery difiicult problem, particularly as the storage may be used only fora few hours at each location. Large collapsible elongate tanks ofrubberized fabric have been used, but such tanks, due to the absence ofsupporting structures and anchors, tend to roll on uneven ground or whensubjected to wind, and such tanks tend to creep in response to thetendency of the liquids to spread and stretch the tank tothe downhillside. Separate peripheral supporting members have been used with suchcollapsible tanks toaid in retaining the tank in position with theresultant increased cost.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a novel,economical, safe temporary storage of relatively large volume of wateror other flowable mateterials which overcomes the above-mentioneddifiiculties; to provide such a storage structure that 'is portable andcollapsible, with a support thatis held in position by the weight of thematerial in the tank; toprovide such a structure with a post support andflexibletension ,m'embers from the post to the tank walls to distributethe stress imparted by the volume of flowable material contained in thetank; to provide such a structure with a ground cover sheet extendingslightly beyond the normal periphery of the tankto form a load-bearingmember between the ground or tank supporting surface and the tankbottom; to provide such astructure wherein n 'the post has a base withfoldable extensions and the flexible waterproof fabric ofthe tank may bevfolded thereover and the extensions hinged upwardly to form a containerfor the flexible tank :structure to facilitate lifting andtransportation thereof from one location to another; to provide such aportable collapsible. storage tank with a top closure for the storagecompartment;

. and to provide such a portable collapsible storage tank that is easilyand quickly erected for use and then knocked down for transportation toanother location and; that is economical to repair and maintain.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentfromthe following. description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention. I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable collapsible storage. tankembodying the features of the present invention inerected condition, 1

Fig. 2 isa partial vertical sectional view through the Ltank structureinerected condition.

Patented Dec. 1, 1959 Fig. 3 is a detail partial perspective view of theupper portion of the tank structure and cover with portions broken awayto illustrate the structure thereof.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the post structure and ground coversheet.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tank structure in collapsed positionfor transportation.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The numeral 1 designates a portable collapsible storage tank generallyconsisting of a support or post structure 2, a ground cover sheet 3, aflexible tank wall member 4, radial stress distribution members 5, andtop closure 6.

The support or post structure 2 extends upwardly from a tank supportingsurface or ground to serve as an anchor member and preferably includes abase or foot plate 7 with an upright tubular post 8 suitably secured tothe plate 7 substantially centrally thereof as by welding at 9 andextending upwardly therefrom. The post is reinforced by a plurality ofbrace rods 10 each of which has upper ends suitably secured to the postas at 11, and the lower ends secured to the base plate 7 in spacedrelation to the bottom of the post as at 12. A substantial portion ofthe brace rods 10 is enclosed by a housing 13 consisting of a pluralityof metal sheets which are inclined upwardly and inwardly to formsubstantially the frustum of a pyramid and provide a smooth support forthe adjacent walls of the tank member 4, as later described. Side panelsor foot extensions 14 are arranged at each edge of the base plate 7 andhingedly connected thereto by suitable hinge members 15 whereby the sidepanels 14 may be hinged upwardly to form sides of a box-like structurefor containing the components of the tank structure. Each of the sideedges 16 of the panels 14 are provided with cooperating tubular members17 which align when the panels are in upright position whereby thetubular members are adapted to receive pins 18 to hold the panels inupright position during transportation of the unit. All edges of thefoot plate 7, housing 13 and panels 14 are preferably smooth androundedto eliminate any damage or puncturing of the tank member 4. A supporterring mem ber 19 is arranged concentrically of the post 8 and is mountedthereon by spoke-like members 20 whereby the ring member 19 is spacedfrom the base plate 7 slightly more than the height of the walls of thetank, as later described. Above the ring member 19 is a second ring orsupport member 21 also mounted on the upper porpanels 14 hingedoutwardly to lay flat on the ground.

A ground cover sheet 25 is made of suitable flexible material such asfabric treated with a flexible waterproofing material such as syntheticrubber or resin Whereby the fabric is substantially waterproof; forexample, the fabric may be of nylon covered with a neoprene to make astrong, durable, waterproof fabric. The cover sheet 25 has an opening 26at the center thereof whereby it can be sleeved over the center post andlie on the base plate 7, and the panels14 with the inner edges at theopening 26 lying against the lower ends of the housing 13. The outerperiphery 27 of the cover sheet extends outwardly from the center poston the ground and substantially corresponds in shape to the shape of thetank and is of slightly larger area. In the illustrated structure, thetank and cover cloth are shown as being circular; however, it can bemade oval or other desired shapes, or the entire tank could have one ormore of the center post structures if the length were large relative tothe width, as in a long oval structure.

The tank wall member 4, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is formed ofa suitable flexible waterproof material such as a coated fabric, forexample, nylon coated with a synthetic rubber or'resin such as neoprene.The tank Wall assembly includes a tubular portion 28 slightly larger indiameter than the rings 19 and 21 whereby it may be sleeved over theupper end of the post structure. The upper end of the tubular'portion 23is folded over itself and secured as at 29 to form a loop 36 in which islocated a suitable metal ring or cable 31, the loop 30 having spaced.openings 32 therein exposing the ring 31. Connectors 33 such as S-hooks,snaps or the like, are connected to the ring 31 at the openings 3?. andadapted to be connected to the ring member if to support the tubularportion 23 in upright surrounding relation on the post structure. Theupper portion of the tubular member 28 is illustrated as beingcylindrical with the lower portion 34 being of a cross section to fitover the housing 13 with the inner surfaces of the walls of the portion34 lying against the outer surface of the housing 13. The tank Wallmember 4 is preferably formed of strips of the coated fabric ofavailable Widths with the marginal edges suitably secured together as byadhesive to form an integral continuous tank wall member of the desiredshape. The tubular portion 23 and the lower portion 34 thereof are aportion of the wall member 4-with the lower end of the tubular portion34 suitably connected or turned outwardly as at 35 in a bottom wallportion 36 whereby said bottom wall portion extends outwardly therefromto adjacent the peripheral edges of the ground cover sheet and thenturns upwardly in a peripheral wall portion 37 With the upper portionthereof curved i11- wardly and upwardly in a top wall portion 33 whichwhen the tank is filled slopes upwardly and inwardly toward the ring 21,as illustrated in Fig. 2. The top wall 38 terminates in an edge 39defining a top opening 40. While the top opening 40 may be of anysuitable size, it is preferable that it be relatively smalhfor example,with a diameter of A or less than the diameter of the tank. It is alsopreferable that the edges 39 be substantially equally spaced from thepost 8. A plurality of tabs 41 are substantially equally spaced aroundthe edge 39 of the top wall portion and preferably consist of portions42 and 43 secured to the inner and outer faces respectively of said topwall portion adjacent the opening 40 and connected to define loops 44 ineach of which is preferably secured a ring 45 to define anchoringmembers for radial support members or flexible members such as wire rope46. It is preferable that the flexible members each have their innerends secured by connectors 47 such as Shooks to the rings 21, the outerends of said flexible members preferably having snaps 48 for removableconnection with the rings 45 on the respective tabs 41.

The tank may be such that the opening 40 may be left open; however, inmany instances, the contents of the tank may be such that it is desiredto provide a cover thereover to prevent foreign materials from enteringthrough the opening 40 into said contents, prevent liquids fromsplashing out of the tank and/or to reduce evaporation. Such a splashtop closure or cover 50 is disposed within the interior of the tank andhas an opening whereby the margins defining the opening are secured tothe upper edge portions of the tubular tank portion 28 as at 51. Thecover extends outwardly. and has its outer margin provided with suitablefastening devices such as snaps 52 which may be removably connected torings 53 suitably secured as by tabs 54 on the inner surface of the topwall portion 38 of the tank wall structure. While the cover 50 isillustrated as being pulled taut in Fig. 2, i

it is to be understood that it may also be a larger siie whereby it willextend downwardly in the intermediate portions and substantially floaton the surface of thema terial in the tank. A plurality of spaced tabs55 are preferably suitably secured as by suitable adhesive to the bottomportion 36 of the tank adjacent the outer periphery thereof whereby saidtabs 55 may be grasped during erection of the tank to pull the bottomportion into flat substantially smooth overlying relation to the coversheet 25.

The tank wall portion 4 preferably has a drain connection 56 arranged inthe peripheral portion 37 adjacent the bottom wall portion 36. The drainconnection may be of a tubular member formed of similar flexible fabricfrom which the walls-of the tank are formed, said drain connection beingsuitably secured to the tank wall and with the outer end adapted to beclosed as by a clamp 57 While the tank is in use whereby releasing ofthe clamp from the drain connection will open same and allow theflowable material to be drained from the tank.

For facilitating filling of the tank, a suitable hose or the like 58 orother tubularmember is connected as at 59 to the top wall portion 38outside the periphery of the cover member 50 whereby material to bestored in the tank may be pumped through the fill hose 58 into said tankinterior.

The walls of the tank structure 4 are suitably connected and sealedtogether to form a watertight structure and is such that if abraded orpunctured it may be patched or otherwise suitably repaired for continueduse. Also, the walls of the tank structure 4, particularly in smallersize tanks, may be a single thickness of suitable flexible fabric suchas nylon covered with a neoprene, or may be a plurality of plies of suchfabric suitably adhered together in a strong, durable waterproof fabric.However, in large tanks, for economy of material, and yet providesuflicient strength for withstanding the stress applied to said wallportion, it is preferable that an additional peripheral wall ply 60 beapplied to the tank wall member. The reinforcing peripheral wall portion60 extends around the entire periphery of the tank and terminates at itsupper edge 61 substantially at the normal full level of the liquid orflowable material in the tank. The lower portion of the reinforcing wallmember 60 extends inwardly under the bottom wall portion 36 as at 62 toreinforce the outer portion thereof.

- In assembling the components of the tank structure, the base 7 isarranged on the ground with the post 8 extending upwardly therefrom andthe panels 14 swung outwardly from the base plate 7. The ground coversheet 25 is then placed over the center post and laid flat. The fabrictank member 4 is then arranged relative to the center post and thetubular portions 28 and 34 sleeved over said post, and the connectors 33connected to the ring 19. The cables 46 are then connected to the ring21 and the fabric tank member folded inwardly around the housing 13 onthe base plate 7. The ground cover sheet 25 is then folded inwardly andthe side panels 14 turned upwardly and secured together, and the postwith the fabric portions and other components of the structure may thenbe lifted into a truck for transportation to the site where a temporarystorage is desired.

At the site, in erecting the tank structure, the center post andportions contained therein are lifted from the truck to the ground atthelocation for the tank. The pins 18 are removed and the side panels 14laid fiat. The ground cover sheet 25 is then spread outwardly and laidflaton the ground. The fabric tank member 4 is then pulled outwardly,and the tabs 55 on said tank member grasped and pulled until thebottom'portion 36 lays substantially flat and smooth on the cover sheet25. Then the connectors 48 on the cables 46 are connected to the rings45 on the tabs 44, and if a splash top closure is desired, theconnectors 52 are connected to the rings 53 on the tabs 54, and the tankis ready for filling. As the flowable material is pumped throughmum-mam.

the hose 58 into the tank interior, the weight of the flowable materialentering the tank is applied through the bottom portion 36 on the coversheet 25 and/or onto the ground and also on the base plate 7 andextensions 14 whereby the greater the contents of the tank the greaterthe force thereof tending to hold the support structure in position onthe ground. As the filling of the tank proceeds, the flowable nature ofthe contents applies a hoop stress to the peripheral portion 37 of thetank structure, also applies a radial tension in the bottom portion 36,and a radial tension in the top wall portion 38 of the tank member 4.The tension in the top wall member is transmitted through the cables 46to the post 8. The cables 46 apply the forces from all sides of the postwhereby forces on one side of the post tend to counterbalance the forcesacting on the other side. When the filling is complete, the tank, whenof circular shape, will assume a position substantially as illustratedin Figs. 1. and 2. If the tank is located on an inclined surface wherebythere is a tendency for the material in the tank to flow slightly to oneside more than the other, and thereby apply additional forces to saidone side or downslope side, the weight applied to the base 7 still holdsthe post in desired position so as to withstand the increased forces,tending to pull the structure to the downhill side. After the tank isemptied and has served its function at a selected location, the cables46 are disconnected and the fabric portion and ground cover sheet arefolded inwardly adjacent the housing 13 and the side panels 14 areturned upwardly and secured together, and the entire structure is readyfor transportation to another site of use.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as suchlimitations are-included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a post supported in uprightposition, a flexible waterproof tank member having an upright tubularportion sleeved over the post with a bottom wall portion extendingoutwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion then upwardly in aperipheral wall portion and then inwardly in a top wall portionextending inwardly and upwardly and having an opening through which theupper portion of the post extends, means connecting the upper end of thetubular portion of the tank member and the post to support said tubularportion, a plurality of spaced flexible members each having one endconnected to the post in upwardly spaced relation to the upper end ofthe tubular portion and extending radially therefrom, and meansconnecting the other ends of the flexible members to the top wallportion of the tank member at the edge of said opening and in spacedrelation therearound to act in tension for distributing the forcesacting on the tank member.

2. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a tank support having anupper surface, an upright post supported to extend upwardly from thetank support, a flexible waterproof tank member having an uprighttubular portion sleeved over the post with a bottom wall portionextending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion inoverlying relation to said upper surface of the tank support and thenupwardly in a peripheral wall portion and then inwardly in a top wallportion extending inwardly and upwardly and having an opening throughwhich the upper portion of the post extends, means connecting the upperend of the tubular portion of the tank member and the post to supportsaid tubular portion, a plurality of spaced flexible members each havingone end connected to the post in upwardly spaced relation to the upperend of the tubular portion and extending radially therefrom, meansconnecting the other ends of the flexible members to the top wallportion of the tank member at the edge of said opening to act in tensionfor distributing the forces acting on the tank member, a top closuremember having a periphery secured to the top wall portion in spacedrelation to the edge of the opening therein and extending inwardlythere:

from to adjacent said post, and means connecting the wardly in aperipheral wall portion and then inwardly in a top wall portionextending inwardly and upwardly and having an opening through which theupper portion of the post extends, means connecting the upper end of thetubular portion of the tank member and the post to sup port said tubularportion, a plurality of spaced tab members on the bottom wall portionadjacent the peripheral Wall portion for pulling the bottom wall portionoutwardly from the post, a plurality of flexible cable's each having oneend connected to the post in upwardly spaced relation to the upper endof the tubularportion and extending radially therefrom, a plurality oftabs on the top wall portion and spaced around the edge of said openingtherein, and means connecting the other ends of the flexible cables tosaid tabs on the top wall portion of the tank member to act in tensionfor distributing the forces acting on the tank member whereby contentsof the tank apply outward forces on the bottom, peripheral and top wallportions which cooperate with the means connecting the tank to the postto shape the filled tank and retain same in place.

4. A portable collapsible tank for positioning on the ground comprising,a post supported in upright position to extend upwardly from the ground,a ground cover sheet of flexible waterproof fabric having a centralopening 4 sleeved over the post whereby said cover sheet overlies theground and extends outwardly from the post, said cover sheet being of asize whereby the periphery there of has dimensions larger than the tank,a flexible waterproof tank member having an upright'tubular portionsleeved over the post and a bottom wall portion extending outwardly fromthe lower end of the tubular portion in overlying relation to the coversheet, a peripheral .wall

I portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion and terminating inan inwardly extending top wall portion and having an opening throughwhich the upper portion of the post extends, means securing the upperend of the tubular portion of the tank member to the post, a plu" ralityof flexible cables each connected to the post and extending radiallytherefrom above the upper end of the tubular portion of the tank member,and means connecting the other ends 'of the flexible cables to the topwall portion of the tank member around said opening therein to act intension for distributing the forces acting on the tank member.

5. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a tank support having anupper surface, a post supported in upright position to extend upwardlyfrom said tank support, a ring member secured on the post in verticallyspaced relation to the tank support, a second ring member on the postand spaced upwardly from the first ring member, a ground cover sheet offlexible waterproof fabric having a central opening sleeved over thepost whereby said cover sheet overlies the upper surface of said tanksupport and extends outwardly from the post, said cover sheet being of asize whereby the periphery thereof has dimensions larger than the tank,a flexible waterproof tank member having an upright tubular portionsleeved over the post and a bottom wall portion extending outweirdly"from the lower end of the insular parties in overlying relation to thecover sheet, a peripli'erahwall' portion extending upwardly from" thebottom erson and terminating in an inwardly extending top wallpor tionand having a central opening throughwhich 'the'upp'e'r portion of thepost extends, a plurality o'f spaced'c'o nectors' securing the 'upper'end' of the tubular 'pbrtion' 6fthetank member to the first-named'r'ing. parties on'the post, a plurality of flexible cables eachconnected to the second-named ring member on the post ana'exiendingradially therefrom, means connecting the o'th'e'rends of the flexiblecables to the top wall portion of the tank member around said centralopening to act in tension for distributing the forces acting" on thetank member, and a top closure member of flexible waterproof fabricsecured to the upper end of'th'e tubular portion of the tank member andextending outwardly therefrom, and means connecting the top closuremember along the periphery thereof to the top portion of the tank memberin underlying relation thereto, and flow means connected to the top wallportion in outwardly spacedrelation to the top closure member and havingcommunication with the interior of the tank member whereby flowabl'ematerial may be moved therethrough into the tank member for filling ofsame.

6. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a hat base member, an uprightpost on said base member" substantially' equally spaced from the sideedges of'said base member, flat panels hinged on the edges of the basemenibe'r'and extending outwardly therefrom, said panelsbeing' swingabl'eto upright position relative to the base member, means for securing saidpanels in upright position; a flexible waterproof fabric tank memberhaving" an upright tubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottomwall portion extending outwardly from the lower end 'of the tubularportion, a peripheral wall portion extending upwardly from the bottomwall portion and terminating in an inwardly extending top wall portionand having a central opening through which the upper portion of the postextends, a plurality of spaced connectors securing the upper end of thetubular portion of the tank member to the post, a plurality of flexiblecables each connected to the post and extending radially therefrom, andmeans connecting the other endsof the flexible cables to the-top wallportion or the tank member at the edge of the central opening to act 'intension for distributing the forces acting on the'taiik member.

7. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, anupright post on said base member substantially equally spaced from theside edges of said base member, flat panels hinged on the edges of thebase member and extending outwardly therefrom, said panels beingswingable to upright position relative to the base member, means forsecuring said panels in upright position, a ground cover sheet offlexible waterproof fabric having a central opening sleeved over thepost whereby said cover sheet overlies the base member and extendsoutwardly therefrom, said cover sheet being of a size whereby theperiphery thereof has dimensions .larger than the tank, a flexiblewaterproof fabric tank member having an upright tubular portion sleevedover the post and a bottom wall portion extending outwardly from 8 1 thelower" end of the tubular portion in overlying r'ela' tion to the coversheet, a peripheral Wall portionie'x-i tending upwardly from the bottomwall portion and terminating in an inwardly extending top wall portionand having a central opening through which the'ilppe'r" portion of thepost extends, a plurality of spaced con nectors securing the upper endof the tubular portion of the tank member to the post, a plurality offlexible cables each connected to the postand extending radiallytherefrom, and means'c'onnecting the other ends of the flexible cablesto the top wall portion of the tank mem ber at the edge of the centralopening to act in tension for distributing the forces acting on the tankmember.

8. A portable collapsible tank comprising, a flat base member, anupright post'on said base member substan-* tially equally spaced fromthe side edges of said base member, flat panels hinged on the edges ofthe base member and extending outwardly therefrom, said panels,"

being swing'able to upright position relative to the-basefl member,means for securing said panels in upright position, a ring membersecured to the post in vertically spaced relation to the base member, asecond ring mem-- ber on the post and spaced upwardly from said firstring member, a ground cover sheet of flexible waterproof fabric having acentral opening sleeved over the post: whereby said coversheet overliesthe base member and extends outwardly therefrom, said cover sheet beingof a" size'whereby the periphery thereof has dimensions larger than"thetank, a flexible waterproof fabric tank member having an uprighttubular portion sleeved over the post and a bottom wall portionextending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular portion inoverlying rela-' tion to' the cover sheet, a peripheral wall portionextending upwardly from the bottom wall portion and te'rminating in aninwardly extending top wall portion-and having a central opening throughwhich the upper pertion of the post extends, a plurality of spacedconnectors securing the upper end of the tubular portion of the tankmember to the first-named ring member on the post, a plurality offlexible cables each connected to the second-named ring member on thepost and extending radially therefrom, means connecting the other endsof' the flexible cables to the top wall portion of the tank member atthe edge of the central opening to act in tension for distributing theforces acting on the tank member, and a top closure member of flexiblewaterproof fabric secured to the upper end of the'tubular portion of thetank member and extending outwardly therefrom,- means connecting the topclosure member along the periphery thereof to the top wall portion ofthe tank member in underlying relation thereto, and flow meansconnectedto the top wall portion inupwardlyspaced relation to the top closuremember and having communication with the interior of the tankmember'whereby flowable material may be moved therethrough into the tankmember for filling of same.-

7 References Cited in the file of this patent STATES PATENTS 1,580,194Glass Apr. 13, 1926 2,378,126 Blair June 12, 1945v 2,378,161 Sawyer]'11I16 12, 1945

